Hamilton wouldn't fit Red Bull

The 2012 Formula One season may not have begun, but some seems to already have one eye on the 2013 season.

This is mainly down to a number of possible driver changes coming in a years time.

All of the four top teams have drivers coming to an end of their current contracts.

Red Bull's Mark Webber's current deal with the team is set to expire, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is also out of contract come the turn of the year.

Ferrari Felipe Massa has admitted that he is fighting to keep his place in the team, while Michael Schumacher could also be looking towards a second retirement when his contract comes to an end with Mercedes.

The possible driver merry-go-round, has always been a talking point amongst the media, but when in recent years movement amongst the top teams has been pretty static, it is inevitable that this season the intrigue is going to be reported on from the very start.

The main focus is on 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, the British driver has grown up around the McLaren team, but after a disappointing season last time out, could he really be on his way out of the team at the end of the year? And if so where could he go?

If Red Bull remain the pace setters, then obviously Red Bull would be an option, but do they want him?

'I think he's comfortable in the environment he is in and we're certainly comfortable with the two drivers we have.

'We also took a decision to invest in youth and we have two really exciting youngsters entering grand prix racing in Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo [with Toro Rosso] - both really talented drivers and both deserve that opportunity. So we're more likely to look inwardly than outwardly.'

Horner also didn't dismiss the idea that Mark Webber could also be handed a new contract if the veteran Australian shows consistent form this year.

So it would seem that Red Bull are unlikely to enter the equation, not that Hamilton himself is too bothered about comments in the press as he quickly dismissed the remarks when he was asked by the BBC.

He told reporters: 'It's the first time I've heard of [the comments] but they definitely don't wind me up, There are a lot of opinions, and everybody has their right to an opinion, but it doesn't really affect me.

Lewis Hamilton would appear to have returned from the break refreshed and focussed on the new challenge ahead of him this season and only then will we really see where his future lies.

Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: Powered by FeedBurner

Join Vital F1

It's easy to join up and join in on VitalF1.com, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!

Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.